The Serie A season’s first Derby della Madonnina is up this weekend, as third-place Inter Milan, who will be the hosts on Sunday, take on AC Milan.
Though Milan are in a comparatively low 10th place, they’re only four points behind their fierce rivals, and the fixture should make for a close-fought encounter between two squads filled with star talent.
Here’s a look at the key players that will decide the Milan derby.
Mauro Icardi v Gonzalo Higuain
Mauro Icardi hasn’t always enjoyed playing against Inter’s fiercest rivals – he failed to score in his first eight appearances against Milan, seven of which came for Inter – but after last season, his opinion might have changed.
The Nerazzurri captain scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Milan, which included a dramatic late winner from the penalty spot.
He’s been in decent form to start the season, with five goals and two assists in eight appearances, including a spectacular winner against Tottenham in the Champions League. Inter will be expecting him to step up on Sunday.
Icardi’s compatriot, Gonzalo Higuain, has made a great start to life in Milan colours after arriving in the summer from Juventus.
The senior Argentine has scored six goals in seven games, including four from five in Serie A, as he’s shown no signs of any drop-off despite going from the Serie A champions to a club looking to return to the top four and restore lost glories.
He also has a terrific record against Milan’s derby opponents, having scored six times in nine appearances against Inter. The stage is set for a grand duel of Argentine strikers.
Icardi has fond memories of last year’s derby, but Higuain loves playing against Inter.
Radja Nainggolan v Franck Kessie
Rajda Nainggolan’s arrival at Inter was supposed to be the key step in a grand plan to return the side which did the Treble in 2010 to that level. So far, it’s been mixed results for the Belgian.
Two goals, no assists, and 14 chances created is a middling return, while he fluffed his lines with an awful display in Inter’s only big game so far, the Champions League tie against Tottenham.
Starring in the derby will be the perfect way to put things right, from a player who usually gets better when the stakes get higher and, more importantly, when the game gets more combative.
Franck Kessie was among Milan’s best players last season, and though he hasn’t quite hit top form yet to start the new campaign, he’s still delivering consistently.
Two goals and an assist in seven appearances this season, allied with typically assured passing, have helped him set the stage for fellow midfielders Lucas Biglia and Giacomo Bonaventura to shine.
Those two have been the standout players in midfield for the Rossoneri so far, but Kessie’s characteristically understated contribution to the team should not be downplayed. If Milan win this derby, their Ivorian midfielder will have had a lot to do with it.
Nainggolan and Kessie will battle for midfield supremacy.
Sime Vrsaljko v Ricardo Rodriguez
Inter’s decision to allow Joao Cancelo to leave the club after his season on loan, rather than trying to sign him outright, was made much easier by their ability to sign Sime Vrsaljko, albeit again on a season-long loan. The Croat defender was coming off an excellent season for Atletico Madrid and his country at the World Cup.
Unfortunately, he’s made only three appearances for his new club as he’s been out with injury, but he should be back for Sunday’s crucial fixture. The 26-year-old is generally a solid, feisty presence in defence, the sort of player you want in a derby.
Lining up opposite Vrsaljko will be Ricardo Rodriguez, who will have bad memories of this game from last season. In his first-ever Milan derby, it was the Swiss man who conceded an injury-time penalty from which Icardi scored the winning goal.
It was a rare low moment from the 26-year-old in what was generally a strong debut campaign in the famous red and black of AC Milan. He’s picked up where he left off to start the season, delivering solid defensive displays and offering his usual attacking input – he’s tallied two assists already this season.
He’ll want to atone for last season’s horror show on Sunday.
Vrsaljko should be fit for what’s likely to be a gripping duel with Rodriguez.
